LIT students earn gold medals at SkillsUSA

Lamar Institute of Technology students brought home 20 gold, seven silver and 12 bronze medals from the State Skills USA competition held this past weekend in San Antonio.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.

Gold medal winners were Cameron Love, architectural drafting; Malaurie Cruz, Kerrington Johnson and Mitchell Rheams, crime scene investigation; Gabriela Gallegos, customer service; Troy Burnett, diesel equipment; Khanh Dinh, electronics technology; Gabriela Gallegos, Yessica Sifuentes and Ferlenzia Wheaton, health knowledge bowl; Aaron Bell, HVAC; Joseph Duff, job skill demonstration open; Heather Miller, medical assisting; Chris Lee, medical math and related technical math; Doug McRoberts, medical terminology; Stephanie Nugen, nurse assisting; and Chad Barclay, Ronald Seabridge and Hariso Beleno, welding fabrication demo.

Those bringing home the silver were Joshua Balka, electronics technology; Stephanie Nugen, Heather Miller and Doug McRoberts, health knowledge bowl; Jared Villejoin, HVAC; Vicki Miller, job interview; and Douglas Hammer, job skill demonstration open.

Bronze medalists were Joshua Balka, extemporaneous speaking; Roel Vera, electronics technology and job skill demonstration open; Casey Cochran, LeKeshia Oliver and Chris Le, health knowledge bowl; Kristian Tucker, job skill demonstration A; Shane O’Bannion, welding; and Jeremy Brister, Brodie Martin, Garrett Floyd and Ronald Seabridge, welding fabrication demonstration.

LIT faculty advising and accompanying students on the trip were Jason Bingham, Deanna Eldred, Darrell Grissom, Sharon Jacobs, Weldon Jacobs, Rusty Koenig, Pete Matak, John McKeehan, Cynthia McKinley, Tom Noyola, Pat O’Connor and Stacy Taylor.

Gold medalists will attend the National SkillsUSA competition in Kansas City, Mo., in late June.